FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VIZ MEDIA SCORES WITH THE RELEASE OF THE PRINCE OF TENNIS ANIME BOX SET

Comprehensive 13-Episode, 3-Disc Set Captures All The On And Off Court Action Of The Popular Series’ First Season

San Francisco, CA March 29, 2007 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced the highly anticipated release on April 24 of THE PRINCE OF TENNIS DVD box set. The comprehensive 3-disc set will offer all 13 episodes of the first season, be rated “A” for All Ages, and will retail for $39.98.

THE PRINCE OF TENNIS is based on the smash hit manga series by Takeshi Konomi, which has sold more than 30 million copies to-date in Japan and is published exclusively in North America by VIZ Media. Domestic fans have fervently embraced the manga series, which is now up to volume 18, and have fueled the anticipation for the release of the anime series after its successful launch on Cartoon Network’s Toonami block of programming and the Toonami Jetstream download site. The network has renewed the series for a second season.

THE PRINCE OF TENNIS follows all the on and off court adventures of Ryoma Echizen, the 12-year-old son of a famous tennis player and a prodigy in his own right. Looking to make a mark, he joins his junior high school tennis team, known as one of the most competitive in Japan. Ryoma is cool and collected, and some might even say he’s cocky, but he’s got the skills to back up his attitude, with a virtually un-returnable “twist serve,” and quickly defeats numerous upperclassmen to secure himself a first string spot on the team. In pursuit of the ultimate goal of winning the All-Japan Junior High Tennis Championship, the team must overcome their differences, pacify egos, work together and support one another while learning and mastering increasingly complex techniques. And meet Ryoma’s cute but chronically shy classmate Sakuno Ryuzaki. She’s got a big crush on Ryoma, but will he ever notice her? Ryoma must persevere athletically, academically and socially. He must learn lessons in dedication and humility if he is ever to step out from the shadow of his famous father and become the Prince of Tennis.

THE PRINCE OF TENNIS is a phenomenon in Japan, where the manga is still being published, and the anime series now runs over 100 episodes. Several games, related merchandise, and the release of a recent live action film have also fueled the title’s continued popularity. As a testament to the success of THE PRINCE OF TENNIS, in the months following the series’ initial debut, it was reported that membership in junior high school tennis teams across Japan rose dramatically.

“THE PRINCE OF TENNIS is an engrossing story with dynamic characters that has captivated fans internationally and we’re excited to release this comprehensive DVD box set,” states Gonzalo P. Ferreyra, Vice President of Sales, Publishing and Home Video, VIZ Media. “The perseverance Ryoma needs to find meaning and purpose both on and off the tennis court is heartening, but one certainly does not have to follow sports to become enchanted with this series. It’s really a story of a boy on the brink of adolescence and tells the universal story of trying to fit and be the best while still being an individual. We look forward to fans picking up the entire first season, presented in this smartly packaged box set, and perhaps even becoming inspired to take up the game of tennis themselves!”

About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), is one of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of Japanese content. Owned by three of Japan’s largest creators and licensors of manga and animation, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan Production Co., Ltd. (ShoPro Japan), VIZ Media is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America and a global licensor of Japanese manga and animation. The company offers an integrated product line including, magazines such as SHONEN JUMP and SHOJO BEAT, graphic novels, videos, DVDs, audio soundtracks and develops and markets animated entertainment from initial production, television placement and distribution, to merchandise licensing and promotions for audiences and consumers of all ages. Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; Phone (415) 546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and web site at www.VIZ.com.